Not sure if that video is actually first hop for the prize. I watched both on live TV ten years ago. Guess I'll look at the long videos tonight. The clip is the first hop, sorry.
Seemed to me that flight two was the hairy one with the uncontrolled roll. An interview with Mike revealed he just let her roll as he was so high that aero forces were not a player and the RCS had some limits like time and authority. So he just let her roll and took control with the RCS at apogee or maybe lower.
The best part of that video is how effective the feather system worked.
Burt has favored the twin tail design forever. I would have liked a large vertical fin way back on the fuselage. Keep the outboard stuff, but increase roll and yaw stability.
Last edited by gums; 5th Nov 2014 at 03:16.
Reason: correct flight sequence